India's Technology Development Board announced a ₹63.84 crore funding agreement with Bengaluru-based GalaxEye on September 24. The support comes through the Research Development and Innovation Fund and is part of an approved ₹247.69 crore project to develop a multisensor Earth-observation satellite.
The proposed OptoSAR system combines synthetic aperture radar with optical imaging. Optical observations provide visual detail, while radar can operate without daylight and through cloud cover. Bringing the data together is intended to make observations more consistent across changing weather and lighting conditions.
The project targets imaging at resolution finer than half a metre, with possible uses including wide-area surveillance and identifying vehicles. Funding will take the form of optionally convertible debentures and support engineering, testing and validation. The stated goal is to move the technology from readiness level six to level nine before deployment.